Minnesota in Photos

An exploration of our state in images.

December 5, 2012

Photos: Inside the new St. Paul Union Depot


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Forty-one years after the last train pulled out of St. Paul's Union Station, the rail hub is ready for trains to return. The landmark station reopens Saturday after a $243 million facelift. The depot will host a new bus hub with intercity bus service returning in 2013, Amtrak trains later in the year, and light rail service in 2014. St. Paul hopes the depot can spark a transportation renaissance for the city.

Clock location

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — Remnants of a clock are left on a pillar in the Union Depot concourse area in St. Paul, Minn. Monday, Dec. 3, 2012. An open house and celebration of the completion of the Union Depot's restoration is being held December 8, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Full story) link to this photo

Union Depot concourse

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — The Union Depot concourse features skylights, restored tile flooring and a palette of paint colors matching that from the 1920s in St. Paul, Minn. Monday, Dec 3, 2012. An open house and celebration of the completion of the Union Depot's restoration is being held December 8, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Full story) link to this photo

Glass enclosed stairway

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — A glass enclosed stairway and elevator overlooking the Mississippi River lead to a boarding platform at Union Depot in St. Paul, Minn. Monday, Dec. 3, 2012. An open house and celebration of the completion of the Union Depot's restoration is being held December 8, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Full story) link to this photo

Terracotta frieze

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — A detailed terracotta frieze depicts the history of transportation in Minnesota in the Union Depot concourse in St. Paul, Minn. Monday, Dec. 3, 2012. An open house and celebration of the completion of the Union Depot's restoration is being held December 8, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Full story) link to this photo

Union Depot

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — Union Depot, which was completed in 1923, is opening to the public on Dec. 8, 2012 after more than 40 years since the last train left the station in 1971. The depot will be a regional transportation hub eventually offering bus, train and light rail services. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Full story) link to this photo

Inside panorama

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This panorama shows the new interior of the Union Depot. The landmark station reopens Saturday after a $243 million face-lift and will host a new bus hub. St. Paul hopes the depot can spark a transportation renaissance for the city. (MPR Photo/Tim Nelson/Full story) link to this photo

Digital displays

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — Arrival and departure board cases have been transformed into digital displays in the Union Depot concourse area in St. Paul, Minn. Monday, Dec. 3, 2012. An open house and celebration of the completion of the Union Depot's restoration is being held December 8, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Full story) link to this photo

Original clock

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — An original clock hangs in the main lobby of the Union Depot in St. Paul, Minn. Monday, Dec. 3, 2012. An open house and celebration of the completion of the Union Depot's restoration is being held December 8, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Full story) link to this photo

Union Depot lobby

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — The lobby and waiting area at the Union Depot in St. Paul, Minn., which features a palette of paint colors matching that of the 1920s, now houses a restaurant Monday, Dec. 3, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Full story) link to this photo

Original lighting

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — Original light fixtures hang in the Union Depot waiting area in St. Paul, Minn. Monday, Dec. 3, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Full story) link to this photo

Bus platform

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — The transit bus platform will be a hub for Metro Transit and Jefferson Lines buses in St. Paul, Minn. Metro Transit buses are scheduled to start using Union Depot on December 8, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Full story) link to this photo

Amtrak platform

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — Passengers will eventually board Amtrak trains at this Union Depot platform in St. Paul, Minn. Amtrak trains are scheduled to start running sometime in 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Full story) link to this photo

Decorative details

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — A variety of decorative stone and terracotta details are featured in the concourse area of Union Depot in St. Paul, Minn. Monday, Dec. 3, 2012. An open house and celebration of the completion of the Union Depot's restoration is being held December 8, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Full story) link to this photo

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